With the embarrassment of riches being shown on Toronto’s multiple screens dedicated to repertory cinema, we decided it was high time to create a monthly guide for all of our local readers. Highlighting everything from the classic to the bizarre, from the backroom at Eyesore Cinema to the recently reopened Ontario Cinesphere, we’ve included dozens of screenings taking place all over the city. Find out which ones are FREE, which are 35mm prints, and which screenings are accompanied by special guests and other performances, from burlesque dancing and live bands, to the classic monthly shadowcast screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Also be sure to check out some of these ongoing, extensive retrospectives at the TIFF Bell Lightbox:
Close Encounters: The Cinema of Steven Spielberg
Starting December 21st, the filmmaker who redefined American popular cinema receives his first ever TIFF Cinematheque retrospective.
Bergman 100: The Ingmar Bergman Centenary
A smash hit in London and New York, this centenary celebration of the revered Swedish master is packed with classics, rarities, and recent restorations.
A Woman Possessed: The Films of Joan Crawford
From Grand Hotel through Johnny Guitar to the Grand Guignol nightmare of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, TIFF surveys the cinema of the fearsomely determined Golden Age superstar
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, TIFF welcomes artists, experts, and combat veterans for this expansive retrospective exploring the cinematic depictions of the 20th century’s first modern war.
Dec. 1
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) @ Revue Cinema
White Christmas (1954) @ The Royal
Black Christmas (1974) @ The Royal
The Last Pogo Jumps Again (2013) @ Revue Cinema
Peeping Tom (1960) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Dec. 2
Julie and Julia (2009) @ Revue Cinema
Presented by the Bechdel Tested series, tackling topics of women’s representation in various fields.
Mega Fun Movie Explosion presents this kid-friendly screening. Arrive a half-hour before the feature starts for games, activities and a raffle!
Let The Right One In (2008) @ The Royal
Dec. 3
Presented by NOW Free Flick Mondays.
Dec. 6
New Jack City (1991) 35mm @ The Royal
BLACK GOLD returns to warm up your winter with a 35mm screening of Mario Van Peebles’ seminal crime flick screening on 35mm!
Encino Man (1992) @ Eyesore Cinema
Brendan Fraser’s finest performance is a fitting finale for Eyesore’s “Frase Haze” retrospective.
Chinatown (1974) FREE @ U of T Media Commons
Carol (2015) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
TIFF and Inside Out invite you to a special Carol-themed evening of Christmas carolling and karaoke, followed by a screening of Todd Haynes’ tender adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel.
Dec. 7
Opening Night (1977) @ The Royal
The Wiz (1978) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Peeping Tom (1960) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Good Tidings (2016) @ Eyesore Cinema
Night of the Demons (1988), The Addiction (1995), & Sole Survivor (1984) FREE @ The Kingsway
Fear is Free Fridays presents another burst of HORROR
Dec. 7, 8 & 9
Die Hard (1988) @ The Cinesphere
Dec. 8
Hosted and curated by local favourite and writer Crystal-Rose Madore, Throwback Cinema showcases the best of family and kid-friendly cinema from the 1970s-1990s, from blockbusters to cult classics.
Killer Angels (1989) + Angel Terminators II (1993) @ Eyesore Cinema
Always Asian Presents: Girls with Guns Double Bill.
Dec. 8 & 9
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (2004) @ The Cinesphere
Dec. 9
The Docks of New York (1928) @ Revue Cinema
Silent Revue is Toronto’s celebrated ongoing exploration of Silent Cinema – the only year-round dedicated selection of silent films in a theatrical venue. All screenings feature live musicians and are set in the fabulous silent-era Revue Cinema!
Trancers (1984) 35mm @ The Royal
Presented by the Laser Blast Film Society.
Dec. 11
Santa with Muscles (1996) FREE @ The Royal
Presented by Indie88’s Band and a Movie with a special performance set from the band Tokyo Police Club.
Dec. 12
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) @ Revue Cinema
Prizes will be raffled courtesy of The Beguiling and the TCAF Shop!
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) @ The Royal
Presented by the Ladies of Burlesque, this screening will feature a burlesque performance by Rubie Magnitude.
Dec. 13
Metropolitan (1990) @ Revue Cinema
Presented by Designing the Movies. Hosted by journalist Nathalie Atkinson, Designing the Movies uses at direction, production, set, and costume design as a lens for analysis.
Paid in Full (2002) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
The boys of Boosie Fade bring the party to the Lightbox with this special screening of Charles Stone III’s Paid in Full, followed by drinks at a post-screening party.
Dec. 14, 15, & 16
The Fifth Element (1997) @ The Cinesphere
Dec. 14
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) @ Revue Cinema
Part of the Dumpster Raccoon series hosted by Anthony Oliveira; screening trashy cult classics accompanied by live performances.
Presented by Trashterpiece Theatre.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Love Actually (2003) FREE @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema*
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) @ The Royal
Suspiria (1977) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Dec. 15
Home Alone (1991) @ Fox Theatre
Silent Partner (1978) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Vagabond (1985) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
White Christmas (1954) FREE @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema
A Woman Under the Influence (1974) @ The Royal
Die Hard (1988) @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema SOLD OUT
Die Hard (1988) @ Revue Cinema SOLD OUT
Drunken Cinema is hosting a special “X-Mas” themed movie drinking game to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this action-packed holiday cult classic.
Dec. 16
Its a Wonderful Life (1946) FREE @ Fox Theatre
Jingle all the Way (1996) @ The Royal
Batman Returns (1992) @ The Royal
Come join the one and only drag queen extraordinaire Allysin Chaynes for a cinematic journey through your favorite cult films. Full movie, live and potentially very drunk commentary, special guests, performances, drinking games and plenty of surprises.
A Christmas Story (1983) FREE @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema*
Rare Exports (2010) @ Eyesore Cinema
Dec. 17
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) FREE @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema*
Dec. 18
3 Women (1977) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Dec. 19
Three Days of the Condor (1975) @ The Royal
Neon Dreams Cinema Club brings you an incidental Christmas classic guaranteed to wipe that Hallmark-smile right off your face.
Dec. 20
Dial Code Santa Claus (1989) @ The Royal
Presented by the Laser Blast Film Society.
The Atomic Cafe (1982) @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema
Dec. 21, 22
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Die Hard (1988) @ Revue Cinema
Dec 21, 22, & 23
Die Hard (1988) @ The Cinesphere
Dec. 22
Black Christmas (1974) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Dec. 26 & 27
The Sound of Music (1965) @ The Cinesphere
Dec. 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30
Interstellar (2014) @ The Cinesphere
Dec. 28, 29 & 30
The Wizard of Oz: An IMAX 3D Experience (1939) @The Cinesphere
Dec. 28 & 29
The Apartment (1960)@ The Royal
When Harry Met Sally (1989) @ The Royal
Dec. 28
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) SHADOWCAST @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema
As always, Hot Docs will be presenting the cult classic with Toronto’s own Shadow Cast who will be performing their own satirical, comedic version of the film for audiences during the show.
Dec. 31
The Big Lebowski (1998) @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema
The seventh annual Dude’s New Year’s event. After the screening, watch the countdown on the big screen and toast the New Year.
*Accessibility Note: The Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema FREE screenings of Love Actually, Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story will all be presented with Open Captions.
